System and method for mobile identity protection of a user of multiple computer applications, networks or devices

ABSTRACT

An automated system and method for authenticating entities or individuals engaging in automated or electronic transactions or activities such as financial transactions, accessing computer applications, computer software, data networks or other automated or electronic devices requiring identity verification is provided. A unique Personal Identity Value is computed and stored in an Identity Register for the entity or individual and may be used for a variety of applications including recognizing incidents of identity theft. This Personal Identity Value is based on one or more computer logic resources that incorporate the relationship among a variety of identification information elements and parameters associated with the entity or individual, such as the entity&#39;s or individual&#39;s wireless device location, the entity&#39;s or individual&#39;s home location, other associated locations, automated activities engaged in and applications accessed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/332,878, now U.S. Pat. No.8,116,731, filed on Dec. 11, 2008 which in turn claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/058,621 filed on Jun. 4, 2008and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/027,892 filed on Feb. 12, 2008. The foregoing applications areincorporated herein by reference.

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/933,803, for “Automated Analysis ComparingWireless Device Location With Another Geographic Location,” By Dankar etal. filed Nov. 1, 2007.

PCT Application No. PCT/IL2006/000775, International Publication No. WO2007/004224 A1 for “Improved Location Based Authentication System,” byEden et al. filed Jul. 5, 2006.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,226 for “Fraud Detection Using Predictive Modeling,”by Gopinathan et al. issued Oct. 6, 1998.

All incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the detection of identity theftbased on fraudulent use of, or fraudulent access to, computerapplications, networks, systems and devices, and more particularly to anautomated system and method that uses an “Identity Register”incorporating processing logic and a database to develop, maintain andrefine a Personal Identity Value representing an entity whose identityrequires some form of authentication.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the following discussion, the terms “activity” and “transaction” areused for illustrative purposes. In general, activities relate toautomated or electronic interactions with hardware devices or softwareprograms, such as accessing computer systems or online web sites.Transactions relate to automated or electronic transactions, such aspersonal data transactions or financial transactions such as payments,fund-transfers, fund withdrawals, deposits, changes to accountinformation, etc. Also, the term “entity” is used for illustrativepurposes. In general, entities requiring authentication are individuals,data subjects or any electronic or computing devices that may be asubject whose identity requires some form of identity authentication.

Accurate authentication of the identity of users or entities engaged inautomated activities or transactions requiring security is a problemthat continues to grow. Many solutions have been introduced to detect orprevent unauthorized access to secure hardware and software systems thatattempt to determine through various means if an entity engaging in atransaction or accessing a computer or application is the lawful andrightful user. Identity theft has become more and more pervasive anddoes not only facilitate financial fraud. It may be perpetrated againstany computer applications, systems and services that require securityand where identity authentication is needed.

There are generally two recognized categories of identity theft that areperpetrated against legitimate users of automated or electronictransactions and activities. The first is known as “financial identitytheft” and is typically based upon the use of another's identity toobtain goods and services. The second, known as “identity deception” isgenerally based upon the use of another's identity or identifyinginformation to intentionally deceive others.

A classic example of financial identity theft, typically synonymous withbank fraud, occurs when an offender obtains a loan from a financialinstitution by impersonating someone else. The offender pretends to bethe victim by presenting an accurate name, address, birth-date or otherinformation the lender requires to establish identity. Even if thisinformation is checked against data at a national credit-rating service,the lender encounters no concerns, as all of the victim's informationmatches the records. The lender has no easy way to discover that theperson is pretending to be the victim, especially if an original,government-issued ID can't be verified, as is the case in online, mail,telephone and fax-based transactions. The offender keeps the money fromthe loan, the financial institution is never repaid and the victim iswrongly blamed for defaulting on a loan never truly authorized.

Another example of financial identity theft is when an offender obtainsanother's credit card or debit card account information, such as accountnumber, account expiration date, card verification value or other dataassociated with an individual's credit card account. The offender thenuses the information to create a counterfeit card or otherwise makepurchases of goods and services at a point-of-sale, withdraw funds at anautomatic teller machine or use the account information to makepurchases over the telephone or via online web sites.

In most cases, financial identity theft is reported to a nationalconsumer credit reporting agency or credit bureau as a collection or badloan under the impersonated individual's record. The victim may discoverthe incident by being denied a loan, seeing the accounts, viewing theirown financial transactions and history or by being contacted bycreditors or collection agencies. The victim's credit score, whichaffects their ability to acquire new loans or credit lines, and rates onexisting accounts may be adversely affected until they are able tosuccessfully dispute the complaints and have them removed from theirrecord. Other forms of financial fraud associated with identity theftinclude account takeovers, passing bad checks and “busting out” anaccount. A bust out is a sudden withdrawal of all available fundsassociated with deposit fraud. If withdrawals or checks are made againstthe impersonated individual's real accounts, that individual may need toconvince the bank that the withdrawal was fraudulent or file a courtcase to retrieve lost funds. If checks are written against fraudulentlyopened checking accounts, the person receiving the checks will sufferthe financial loss. However, the recipient of a check might attempt toretrieve money from the impersonated individual by using a collectionagency. This activity would appear in the victim's credit history untilthe check was shown to be fraudulent.

Impersonating another's identity to deceive, for reasons other thanfinancial gain, also has far-reaching consequences. Preventing identitydeception has application to many circumstances where individualsecurity is a primary concern. For example, the ability to authenticatethe identity of an individual to prevent deception has application tolaw enforcement, public security, cyber crime and any online means whereindividuals have an expectation that existing security measures areadequate.

Identity deception occurs, for example, when an individual obtainssomeone else's electronic login information for access to a web-basedonline application such as a social networking web site. The individualsuccessfully enters a username and password that belongs to the victim.Once accepted by the application, that individual has access to thevictim's personal profile information and application features.Furthermore, the individual can establish and maintain communicationswith the victim's friends and family. The victim's personal profileinformation can be modified or deleted and other damage can be inflictedupon the victim for malicious purposes. Criminals, parolees and onlinepredators can make use of the victim's identity for dangerous anddeceptive purposes.

Credit card issuers and financial institutions, such as banks, attemptto limit financial identity theft and fraud losses by analyzing avariety of data and information associated with, for example, anautomated credit card transaction. Rules-based “parameter analysis” isused along with pattern recognition and probabilistic techniques todetermine the legitimacy of a card transaction. Parameter analysistechniques are used to examine, for example, the number of credit cardtransactions on a particular account within a specified period of time,say 24 hours, and the dollar amount of the transaction. If the number oftransactions or the dollar amount exceed some pre-defined threshold, thetransaction can be flagged as potentially fraudulent and further actioncan be taken. This action may be as drastic as denying the transactionand blocking the card holder's account. Parameter analysis, however,often times yields false-positive results, where the financialtransaction is in fact legitimate, but falls outside the parameterthresholds set.

Probabilistic, or predictive, techniques include the use of statisticalanalysis and pattern recognition using many more parameters than aretypically used in rules-based parameter analysis. Probabilistictechniques require the construction of behavioral models based onpotentially hundreds of parameters to provide a probability that aparticular financial transaction is fraudulent. These parameterstypically include detailed data about multiple card holders, multiplemerchants, multiple transactions and transaction histories that providethe ability to filter, screen and isolate those financial transactionswhich are likely to be fraudulent. Over time, this aggregated anddetailed data about transactions are used to enhance the statisticalmodel so patterns emerge. Thus, the statistical model is continuallyrefined so that a particular transaction, when processed through themodel, results in a more accurate determination of the likelihood offraud.

Probabilistic techniques and models to determine incidents of identitytheft may be made more beneficial if a Personal Identity Valuerepresenting an individual user's characteristics is developed, ratherthan statistical models based on pattern recognition from many users'transaction characteristics. That is, authenticating the identity of anentity engaged in an automated activity or transaction has utility aboveand beyond systems that determine the likelihood that a transactionitself is fraudulent. It is desirable, therefore, to have an automatedsystem that uses discrete available data regarding the entity, includingthe entity's wireless device location data, home location data and otherIdentity Data to create a Personal identity Value for the entity thatmay be accessed by a variety of applications that require identityauthentication. By using this method, false-positive indications offraudulent activity may be further reduced.

The primary identifying characteristic of a particular wireless deviceis the dialable mobile directory number (MDN). The MDN can be up to 15digits long and is a unique number worldwide among all wireless devices,regardless of country or telecommunications network operator. The formatof the MDN has been standardized as the E.164 International PublicTelecommunication Number by the International Telecommunications Union,a standards making organization within the United Nations. Because theMDN is unique worldwide to an entity's or individual's mobile servicesubscription and wireless device, it can be considered an extension ofthe unique identity of that wireless device's user.

Much of the utility of using an entity's or individual's wireless deviceas an extension of the identity of the user is enabled by the physicalsecurity of wireless devices. Wireless devices are inherently secure dueto the properties of digital cellular telecommunications. Digitalcellular technology has replaced analog cellular technology worldwideand with this advancement came cellular authentication. Cellularauthentication uses a cryptographic security protocol and public keyinfrastructure that is only made possible by digital communicationstechnology. This cryptographic security protocol prevents a mobiledirectory number from being used by any wireless device other than theone for which it was originally programmed. The only way to re-use amobile directory number with another device is by special secureprovisioning performed within secure network platforms by the wirelessnetwork operator. When this secure provisioning occurs, the mobiledirectory number is securely and solely associated with the device forwhich it is used. In the case of GSM networks, the secure wirelessdevice is the subscriber identity module, or SIM card, which isassociated with an individual and unique mobile service subscription.This is why a SIM card can be used in any GSM-based mobile phone withoutnotifying the wireless network operator. In the case of COMA networks,the wireless device is the mobile phone itself as SIM cards are notcommercially supported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and itsmethods of use, for detecting identify theft using one or more logicresources to evaluate entities based on parameters about the entity anda wireless device associated with an entity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system, and itsmethods of use, for detecting identify theft by having an entity'swireless device be representative of the entity's true identity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system, andits methods of use, for detecting identify theft that employs ananalysis to revise and refine a Personal Identity Value used to allow ordeny access or operation of a computer application, activity, network,system or device for current or subsequent access or operation of saidcomputer application, activity, network, system or device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system,and its method of use, for detecting identify theft by updating andrevising a Personal Identity Value for an entity and thereafterreporting to another system wanting to determine at some point in timewhat the Personal Identity Value is.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system, andits method of use, for detecting identify theft in response to aPersonal Identity Value based on a transaction or activity event data,the location of the transaction or activity event, the entity's homelocation, the location of the entity's wireless device and the time thelocation of the entity's wireless device was obtained.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system, andits method of use, for detecting identity theft based on locationanalysis of a multiplicity of provided and stored locations, historicallocations, historical Personal Identity Values and the velocitiesrequired to travel among the provided and stored locations.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in, amethod for detecting identity theft of an individual based on one ormore types of Identification Data, Event Data or both including thelocation of a wireless device associated with an entity obtained from aWireless Network, the entity's home location, other locations associatedwith an entity, automated activity data, automated transaction data orautomated event detection data. Data is obtained regarding an automatedtransaction or activity from a data network. A unique identifierrepresenting an individual is determined. The location of an automatedtransaction or activity is determined. The entity's home location isdetermined. The wireless device location associated with an entity isobtained from a wireless network. A Personal Identity Value is generatedbased on the transaction or activity event data, the location of thetransaction or activity event, the entity's home location, the locationof the entity's wireless device and the time the location of theentity's wireless device was obtained.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided forregistering an entity with an Identity Register based on an entity'sWireless Device Identification (ID). An entity's unique Wireless DeviceID is provided via a data network. An entity's home locationidentification data is provided via a data network. An entity's obtainedIdentification Data is then stored.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is providedfor detecting identity theft of an entity based on an the location of awireless device associated with an entity obtained from a WirelessNetwork. A module provides data regarding a transaction or activity froma data network. A module is used to obtain a unique identifierrepresenting an entity. A module determines the location of atransaction or activity. A module obtains the individual's homelocation. A module obtains a wireless device location associated with anentity from a Wireless Network. A module generates a Personal IdentityValue based on the entity's Identity Data, Event Data, the location ofan automated event or activity, the entity's home location, the locationof a wireless device associated with an entity and the time the locationof the wireless device was obtained.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus registersan entity with an Identity Register based on an entity's Wireless DeviceID. The apparatus includes an application to obtain an entity's uniqueWireless Device ID from a data network, an application to obtain anentity's home location or other Identification Data from a data networkand a database to store an entity's obtained Identification Data and adatabase to store an entity's obtained Event Data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the functional entities and modules of an exemplaryIdentity Register used to calculate and provide a Personal IdentityValue for an identity authentication application. Included in theexample is an Event Processing Module, a Wireless Device LocationModule, a Wireless Device ID Database, an optional Identity Database,one or more Identity Risk Logic Resources and Identity RiskConfiguration data in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts the functional entities and modules of an exemplaryIdentity Register used by an entity or individual to register andotherwise maintain Identity Data stored in the Identity Register.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary Wireless Device ID Database used toassociate unique Wireless Device IDs with derived wireless devicelocations, identity authentication applications and Personal IdentityValues.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary Identity Database used to store uniqueWireless Device IDs associated with other Identity Data associated withan entity or individual.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary Identity Risk Configuration data used by, orassociated with, one or more Identity Risk Logic Resources.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary information flow diagram of the IdentityRegister.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary process flow diagram of the IdentityRegister.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary web-based Wireless Device IdentityRegistration user application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatedsystem and method for detecting identity theft, which uses one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources to evaluate wireless device users based onparameters about the wireless device and its user. These parametersenable the system to estimate a probability that an entity engaged in aparticular automated transaction or activity is not, in fact, the entityauthorized to do so. The probability is distinguished as a PersonalIdentity Value that may be provided as output to other automated systemsor to a human decision-maker involved in determining the validity of anentity or individual engaged in an automated transaction or activity.The Personal Identity Value associated with an entity may be revisedbased on subsequent transactions or activities engaged in by the entity(i.e. the wireless device user) to designate a more accurate value thatmay be used for a variety of applications.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an entity's wireless deviceis representative of the entity's true identity. The use of the wirelessdevice for identity authentication is a robust way of ensuring the trueidentity of entities accessing a computer application or system. Basedon pervasive use of cell phone technology worldwide, it is surmised thatan entity's or individual's unique mobile device associated with aunique mobile directory number (MDN) is a reasonable proxy for theidentity and current location of the wireless device's owner. In thisway, a wireless device can become a strong mechanism for fighting fraudand identity theft that may be perpetrated against the user, computerapplications or electronic transactions. This is due to the fact that anindividual's mobile phone is almost always on and with the individual,and the location of the mobile phone is derived from the WirelessNetwork or from some local wireless or wireline connection to some otherautomated system.

In one embodiment, an entity's or individual's wireless device isactive, powered on and communicates with a Wireless Network, localwireless communications link or local wired communications link. Thewireless device is in close proximity to a computer application network,system or device. Depending on the particular application, network,system or device, close proximity can be anywhere from several miles toseveral feet. The entity's or individual's wireless device MDN isprovided and stored in an Identity Register. An identity authenticationapplication or system is associated with and uses the functions andprocesses of the Identity Register. When the entity or individual comesinto some proximity (as previously defined) of a computer application,network or device, or otherwise attempts to invoke a computerapplication, network or device, either himself or via some externalcommunications mechanism, that requires identity authentication foraccess and operation, the Identity Register records and stores thisinvocation event. An identity authentication application supported bythe Identity Register attempts to authenticate the user for thatcomputer application, network or device. The Identity Risk LogicResources used may be provided by the Identity Register or by anexternal computer application itself. These logic resources aretypically defined by distance and time parameters along with pastidentity authentication events that may also be based on distance andtime or other means of authentication. The use of or actual respectivelogic resources, processes and computer applications used and pertainingto the identity authentication invocation events involved are recordedand stored at the Identity Register. The result, in the form of aPersonal Identity Value, of the identity authentication applicationprocess are also stored. The continuing storage of identityauthentication invocation events, processes, functions, logic resourcesand results associated with a particular and previously registeredentity or individual may be used for analysis of subsequent identityauthentication invocation events and processes. This analysis may beused to revise and refine a Personal Identity Value used to allow ordeny access or operation of a computer application, activity, network,system or device for current or subsequent access or operation of saidcomputer application, activity, network, system or device.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises identityauthentication of an entity or individual wireless device user engagedin a secure automated transaction or activity based on the location ofthe user's wireless device. A Wireless Device Location Module is used toobtain the location of the wireless device from a macro WirelessNetwork, such as a cellular network or WiMAX network. The unique andidentifying mobile directory number (MDN) has been initially registered,provided and stored in an external database or within the IdentityRegister that maintains Identity Data in a Wireless Device Identity (ID)Database and associated processing system. The Identity Register acts asthe supporting system and database of record for identity authenticationby receiving, detecting, recording, processing and storing identityEvent Data or other data that lead to an identity authenticationapplication or process. The Wireless Device ID Database records eventsbased on user interaction, directly or indirectly, with the IdentityRegister system. Electronic triggers may originate from applicationevents based on stored Identity Data or the proximity of a wirelessdevice supporting automated and unsolicited communications with thesystem. The Wireless Device ID Database is used to maintain a PersonalIdentity Value for each entity or individual and unique Wireless DeviceID. This value is initially generated by one or more Identity Risk LogicResources and may be updated and revised based on subsequent eventsassociated with the Wireless Device ID. As a non-limiting example, theseevents may be in the form of a local wireless communication with thesystem (such as a wireless device-based Bluetooth or WiFi connection toa computer), a local wired connection (such as a USB or FireWire®connection to a computer), the internet protocol (IP) address locationof a computer user sending an email, a log-in function for a web site, afinancial transaction event trigger such as the use of a credit card atan automatic teller machine or point-of-sale location, and the like.Over a given period of time, a user associated with a wireless devicemay trigger events that are associated with, connected to and recordedwithin the Identity Register. These events may cause the PersonalIdentity Value to be updated and revised for the particular wirelessdevice and may be reported to another entity wishing to determine atsome point in time what the Personal Identity Value is. Furthermore, thePersonal Identity Value may be used to subsequently take some action fora particular transaction or activity associated with a wireless deviceuser such as determining whether an activity or transaction engaged inby the wireless device user is likely fraudulent or not.

The wireless device user's Identity Data may be initially registered andcreated in a variety of ways, both directly and indirectly. Onepreferred embodiment of direct registration occurs when an individualenters identity information into a form on a web page presented by aregistration application supported by the Identity Register. Identityinformation may contain a username, password, given name, address, sex,age, email address or various other information and the required andunique mobile directory number (MDN) associated with the user's wirelessdevice. When this information is submitted, it may be confirmed by avariety of mechanisms. For example, a confirmation email may be sent tothe provided email address containing an embedded secure link or uniformresource locator (URL) address. When the user clicks on this link, a webpage may be presented by the initial registration application confirmingthe user's registration with the Identity Register. After the user'sinitial registration is confirmed, the user's Identity Data is stored inthe Identity Register for use with a multiplicity of applications thatmay support the Personal Identity Value required for identityauthentication related to transactions, computer applications, networks,systems or devices.

One preferred embodiment of indirect registration occurs when an eventexternal to the Identity Register occurs and the Event Data as well asIdentity Data is sent to the Identity Register. If no data or recordwithin the Identity Register exists, a new record is createdautomatically based on the Wireless Device ID associated with the EventData or Identity Data. The record may contain any and all data receivedand based on the external event. The received Identity Data is stored inthe Identity Register for use with a multiplicity of applications thatmay support the Personal Identity Value required for identityauthentication related to transactions, computer applications, networks,systems or devices.

Once an entity's or individual's Wireless Device ID is registered in theIdentity Register, external application events requiring identityauthentication may be detected, received, processed, recorded and storedby the Identity Register. As these events are recorded and stored, theIdentity Register may support authentication applications using bothcurrent Event Data as well as aggregate or historical Event Data storedfor a particular Wireless Device ID. All data stored for a particularWireless Device ID in the Identity Register, new received Event Data,additional received external Identity Data, as well as the existingPersonal Identity Value may be used to generate a new or currentPersonal Identity Value. The new value may be used to assist in adetermination of identity authentication for a current authenticationevent or future authentication events. The calculated Personal IdentityValue may be continually maintained, updated and revised based on eventsto assist in determining an authentication result for a given secureactivity requiring identity authentication of the user.

An identification authentication process may be performed by, forexample, an external authentication application that resides on acomputing platform or device that communicates with the IdentityRegister system. The Identity Register system is comprised primarily ofan Event Processing Module, a Wireless Device Location Module, aWireless Device ID Database, an Identity Database and one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources.

An Event Processing Module enables communications, transmission andreception of data associated with the functions of the Identity Registerand supports the basic communications with external applications toreceive Identity Authentication Events and related data.

A Wireless Device Location Module enables communications with a WirelessNetwork to obtain the position or location of an entity's orindividual's wireless device.

A Wireless Device Identity (ID) Database enables the association of aunique wireless device identifier with the calculated personal identityvalue, the wireless device location, a multiplicity of identityauthentication applications, Identity Authentication Events and eventlocations and times associated with identity authenticationapplications.

An optional Identity Database enables the storage and use of additionalIdentity Data that may be obtained via an external system or applicationassociated with the Identity Register. The Identity Database enables theassociation of a Wireless Device ID and one or more additional identityinformation elements associated with a unique Wireless Device ID such asan entity's or individual's home address, work address, relatedlocations or addresses frequented by the individual, various telephonenumbers associated with an individual and additional Wireless Device IDsrelated to the present Wireless Device ID. Additional Wireless DeviceIDs associated with, or otherwise related to, the present WirelessDevice ID may be required, such as those that may be associated withfamily members that may be associated with the same identityauthentication application.

The Identity Risk Logic Resources comprise one or more computer logicresources to calculate a Personal Identity Value based upon dataobtained via the Event Processing Module, the Wireless Device IDDatabase, the Identity Database and Identity Risk Configuration data.Furthermore, Identity Risk Configuration data are used to configure orotherwise provide dynamic or static parameter values used by one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources.

Based upon current data regarding an identification authenticationevent, which may include the Wireless Device ID, Event Data, such astype of event, location of the event, time of the event and theparticular application the event pertains to, as well as currentlyobtained or stored identity data associated with the Wireless Device ID,a Personal Identity Value is calculated representing the probability ofrisk that identity theft has occurred or may be occurring.

The Personal Identity Value is calculated using one or more appropriateIdentity Risk Logic Resources that use the data pertaining to thecurrent Identity Authentication Event and application. The logicresources consider a multiplicity of factors based on the receivedidentity authentication Event Data as well as received or currentlystored Identity Data. These logic resource factors comprise calculationspertaining to the current and known locations derived from the dataincluding distances among the received and known locations as well astime variances among the received and known locations, i.e. when theindividual was at the locations.

There are a multiplicity of location types about the entity orindividual factored into the Identity Risk Logic Resources. “Transient”locations are considered to be those locations where the individual isat for potentially only brief periods of time, such as the locationsderived from a Wireless Network based on the Wireless Device ID while anindividual is mobile. Other transient locations may include locationswhere financial transactions occur, such as automatic teller machines orpoint-of-sale locations where an automated purchase is made using, forexample, a credit card or debit card. Still other transient locationsmay include an automatic detection of the presence of an individual'swireless device at a particular location, such as passing through anairport metal detector, entering a secure building using wireless radiofrequency identification (RFID) based on proximity cards or similardevices or entering a secure or alarmed home or office where a manualkeypad is used by the individual to enter a personal identificationnumber (PIN) to gain entry.

Other location types may be categorized as “semi-permanent” meaning thatthe locations may be somewhat transient, yet the individual spends morethan brief periods of time there. Examples of semi-permanent locationsmay be work addresses where an individual may spend extended periods oftime, but not most of the day, or vacation home addresses where anindividual may spend extended periods of time at irregular timeintervals, such as different seasons, months or weeks.

Still other location types may be categorized as “permanent” meaningthat the locations where an individual frequents are somewhat static,such as the individual's home address. It may be assumed in the case ofpermanent locations that the individual spends more time at thoselocations than semi-permanent or transient locations.

Other location data may be derived from other Identity Data pertainingto the entity or individual, such as telephone numbers. Telephonenumbers are geographically-based so they imply a form of location data.All dialable telephone numbers, wireline or wireless, are of theaforementioned form of the mobile directory number (MDN). They can be upto 15 digits long and are unique numbers worldwide among all telephones,regardless of country or telecommunications network operator. The formatof the telephone number has been standardized as the E.164 InternationalPublic Telecommunication Number by the International TelecommunicationsUnion, a standards making organization within the United Nations. Alltelephone number addresses are comprised of two distinct parts orsections: a Country Code (CC) and a National Significant Number (NSN).The NSN may be comprised of two portions: a National Destination Code(NDC) and a Subscriber Number (SN). If the telephone number is awireline number, the values for CC, NSN or NDC may be representative ofthe physical geography of where the landline central office telephoneswitch serving that line number resides. If the telephone number is awireless number or mobile directory number (MDN), the values for CC, NSNor NDC may be representative of the physical geography of where themobile subscriber's home mobile switching center (MSC) resides. Using amultiplicity of telephone numbers associated with an entity orindividual, such as one or more home telephone numbers, work telephonenumbers and mobile telephone numbers, transient, semi-permanent andpermanent location types may be derived and used by the presentinvention.

One or more Identity Risk Logic Resources may consider one or more ofthese location types along with the distance variances among them. Also,if the dates and times are known when individuals are at theselocations, the time variances among the multiple locations where anentity or individual has been may be factored into the logic resources.

The transient Identity Authentication Event, location and timeparameters derived from currently received or stored location data maybe stored in the Wireless Device ID Database. The semi-permanent andpermanent location parameters may be stored in the Identity Database.These parameters may be given a particular and relative “weightingfactor” to distinguish their relative importance for use in the IdentityRisk Logic Resources.

These weighting factors may be stored for use by the Identity Risk LogicResources in an Identity Risk Configuration file. This configurationfile may be dynamically modified for use with a multiplicity ofapplications requiring identity authentication. The relative weightingfactors may be given values that represent the importance of theparameters for use by the logic resources. As an illustrative example, atransient wireless device location associated with a Wireless Device IDcurrently obtained from a Wireless Network may have a larger relativevalue in a risk calculation than the individual's home addressassociated with the Wireless Device ID. If a particular application,such as a credit card cash advance financial transaction requires aPersonal Identity Value to determine if the transaction is fraudulent ornot, and the wireless device location is quite far from the individual'ssemi-permanent or permanent stored home and work addresses, a higherweighting factor for the transient wireless device location may resultin a high Personal Identity Value implying a higher risk of identitytheft that might be perpetrated upon the entity or individual.Furthermore, if the wireless device location of the entity or individualis determined to be quite far from the automated transaction location,the relative weighting factors of the locations may also result in ahigh Personal identity Value indicating a higher risk of identity theft.This Personal Identity Value may be returned to some external ResultsProcessing System and stored in the Wireless Device ID Database andsubsequently used by a multiplicity of identity authenticationapplications. If the Personal Identity Value is returned to a ResultsProcessing System, an authentication application accessing the ResultsProcessing System may use the Personal Identity Value to take someaction or apply some treatment to the entity's or individual's automatedactivity or transaction.

Over time and for a variety of identity authentication applications, theentity's or individual's Personal Identity Value may be modified,revised or otherwise refined based on the types of authenticationapplications, types of application events, locations of the events,times of the events, location of the entity's or individual's wirelessdevice and other known identity parameters stored within the IdentityRegister.

Data within the Identity Register to generate a Personal Identity Valuemay be created and stored dynamically based on the reception of EventData or Identity Data associated with an identity authenticationapplication. The creation of a new Wireless Device ID record within theWireless Device ID Database may be dynamically created for an initialIdentity Authentication Event for a particular identity authenticationapplication. Furthermore, Identity Data may be provided to, orregistered with, the Identity Register by individuals themselves who maywish to subscribe to some identity theft protection service.

As an illustrative example, individuals may access an Internet-basedapplication displaying a web page containing a form that enables them toregister their Wireless Device IDs and other Identity Data that may beused by a multiplicity of identity authentication applications. Thisexemplary Identity Register application may enable individuals to add,modify or delete their own Identity Data over time as that data changesenabling them to participate in their own identity theft protection.

A particular identity authentication application may reside within or beexternal to the Identity Register. The communication mechanism toreceive Event Data and Identity Data may be via a data communicationsnetwork or more directly if the identity authentication applicationresides within the same platform as the Identity Register.

Supported identity authentication applications are used to determine theauthenticity of a user attempting to access or otherwise operate acomputer application, network or device. These identity authenticationapplications may also represent the Results Processing System receivingthe Personal Identity Value for a particular Identity AuthenticationEvent.

Illustrative examples of Identity Authentication Events pertaining toidentity authentication applications may include a wireless device usercoming into proximity of an electronic or automated device associatedwith a secure computer application or network that may detect thewireless device via a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, WiFi, RHD,near field communications (NFC), electro-magnetic or othercommunications protocol or mechanism. Other illustrative examples ofIdentity Authentication Events may include physical connectivity of anelectronic or automated device such as a wireless device, biometricdevice, magnetic card, network connected computerized device or otherconnected communications protocol or mechanism to a secure computerapplication, network or device requiring authentication for access or toauthenticate a secure activity or transaction. Physical connectivityenabling communication of Identity Authentication Events may be via aUSB wired connection, serial port connection, electro-magnetic or othercommunications protocol or mechanism. Other illustrative examples mayinclude invocation of some identity authentication application requiringan authentication process for access or operation such as some manualaction taken by an individual accessing a computerized, electronic orautomated device, including pressing a “hard” or “soft” button on acomputerized system or device, accessing a biometric device or employingsome mechanical action. Still other illustrative examples may includesome automatic invocation of an authentication process with no manualuser interaction by a computerized, electronic or automated device,including a wireless device, biometric device, electronic message ortelecommunications call.

Illustrative examples of the types of activities and transactions thatthe present invention may provide identity theft protection and utilityinclude financial transactions such as credit card transactions, debitcard transactions, electronic fund transfers, deposit transactions andnon-financial bank transactions such as change of account datatransactions. Other examples include online account activations, onlinepurchases, online banking transactions, online gaming access, onlinesharing of data, online interactive messaging systems (e.g. sending andreceipt of email, instant messages, etc.) online social networking,online communications systems, software-based automated systems andservices, hardware-based automated systems and services, computer access(e.g. log-ons, log-offs, etc.), website registrations, activations,deactivations, computer applications, network or device registrations,activations, deactivations and any applications requiring identityauthentication.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an Identity Register isprovided. The Identity Register enables the location of a wirelessdevice obtained from a Wireless Network to be used in conjunction withIdentity Data and Event Data emanating from an Identity AuthenticationEvent associated with an application requiring identity authenticationto generate a Personal Identity Value representing the likelihood thatidentity theft has occurred.

In one embodiment, an Event Processing Module of the present inventionreceives current Event Data, an entity's or individual's Identity Dataand an entity's or individual's wireless device location data in amultiplicity of formats. In this embodiment, the Event Processing Modulepasses the Event Data to the Wireless Device ID Database. Similarly, theEvent Processing Module passes the Identity Data to the IdentityDatabase. A Wireless Device Location Module obtains the location of thewireless device associated with the Event Data and Identity Data andidentified by a unique Wireless Device ID. The Wireless Device LocationModule passes, directly or indirectly, the wireless device location tothe Wireless Device ID Database for storage. The Event Data, IdentityData and wireless device location data are passed to one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources. This logic results in the generation of aPersonal Identity Value. The Identity Risk Logic Resources obtain datafrom an Identity Risk Configuration file that provides informationpertaining to how the Event Data and Identity Data for a particularidentity authentication application are to be calculated. The resultingand generated Personal Identity Value can then be passed to a ResultsProcessing System associated with the identity authenticationapplication. The identity authentication application may then take someaction based on the generated and received Personal Identity Value. ThePersonal Identity Value is stored in the Wireless Device ID Database forsubsequent use by other identity authentication applications as well asto be used in subsequent identity risk logic calculations. The PersonalIdentity Value may be provided in a multiplicity of formats and used toauthenticate, verify or validate an entity's or individual's identityassociated with an automated activity or transaction engaged in by theentity or individual.

In an exemplary operation of the Identity Register, an IdentityAuthentication Event is generated from some automated or manual activityengaged in by an entity or individual. In one embodiment, an entity's orindividual's wireless device is active, powered on and communicates witha Wireless Network, local wireless communications link or local wiredcommunications link. The wireless device is in dose proximity to acomputer application network, system or device. Depending on theparticular application, network, system or device, dose proximity can beanywhere from several miles to several feet.

When the individual comes into some proximity (as previously defined) ofa computer application, network or device, or otherwise attempts toinvoke a computer application, network or device, either himself or viasome external communications mechanism, that requires identityauthentication for access and operation, an authentication applicationpasses information about that event as Event Data to the EventProcessing Module of the Identity Register. The Event Data may contain,in a multiplicity of formats, various information such as the uniqueWireless Device ID of an entity, individual or data subject associatedwith the event, the type of event, the particular authenticationapplication the event pertains to, the location where the event occursand the date and time of the event. Non-limiting examples of the typesof events that may occur are registration events where an entity orindividual is either directly or indirectly registering with theIdentity Register platform. A direct registration event may occur, forexample, via an application that supports or otherwise enablesregistration of data directly by an individual into the IdentityRegister. An indirect registration event may be, for example, via anapplication that supports or otherwise enables registration of dataindirectly, or on behalf of, an entity or individual into the IdentityRegister. A registration event may include the Wireless Device ID of theentity or individual in the form of a unique mobile directory number(MDN) or other type or format of unique identifier. When a registrationevent occurs, the unique wireless identifier representing the entity'sor individual's identity is included in the event. Examples of otherevents are authentication events where an identity authenticationprocess is requested to be performed within the Identity Register. Forauthentication events, if an entity or individual is not previouslyregistered within the Identity Register, they may be indirectlyregistered as a function of the authentication event. When anauthentication event occurs, the unique Wireless Device ID representingthe entity's or individual's identity is included in the event. ThisWireless Device ID may be used to register the entity or individualwithin the Identity Register. An authentication event, for example, maybe an event that represents a request for the Identity Register togenerate a Personal Identity Value for the entity or individualrepresented by the unique Wireless Device ID, or other identifier. Otherevents may include requests for one or more Personal Identity Valuesstored within the Identity Register that may or may not be associatedwith a particular authentication event.

Non-limiting examples of authentication applications that may produceauthentication events represented by Event Data include financialtransactions such as automated fund withdrawal transactions using anautomatic teller machine or point-of-sale terminal, fund transfertransactions, deposit transactions and non-monetary transactions such aschanges to financial account information. For these transactions, theunique Wireless Device ID along with an application identifier may besent as Event Data to the Identity Register in order to perform anidentity authentication process for the individual associated with theunique Wireless Device ID. Other examples of authentication applicationsthat may produce authentication events may be applications that enableaccess to online websites, applications that enable access to computerhardware systems, applications that enable entry into homes or buildingssuch as an individual entering a digital code into a keypad orapplications where a wireless device may come into proximity of anotherhardware device that supports RFID or NFC communications or otherwireless communications protocol.

Non-limiting examples of the location information of where an eventoccurs that may be associated and included with Event Data include amultiplicity of information element formats that represent geographiclocation data such as a physical geographic address (e.g. street number,street name, city, state, province, country, postal code, ZIP code,etc.), a physical data communications address (e.g. an Internet Protocolgeographic address of the form XX.XX.XX.XX), a logical or virtual placeor data communications address (e.g. a post office box or a uniformresource locator or URL address), some representation of an address(e.g. an alias name or label identifying an address), a geographic placename (e.g. “Central Park”), mapping coordinates (e.g. latitude andlongitude or other projection coordinates) or a mapping identifier insome customized format.

The date and time that an Identity Authentication Event occurs may alsobe included in the Event Data to be passed to the Identity Register. Thedate and time may be generated external to the Identity Register andassociated with an application external to the Identity Register andpassed as Event Data. The date and time may be generated by the IdentityRegister itself when Event Data is received by the Event ProcessingModule. Event Data passed to the Identity Register may be subsequentlyused to generate Personal Identity Values for entities, individuals ordata subjects associated with the Event Data.

In an exemplary operation of the Identity Register, Identity Datapertaining to an entity or individual may be sent to the IdentityRegister. This Identity Data may include, in a multiplicity of formats,various information related to the identity of the entity or individual,or data subject, either previously registered within or to be registeredwithin the Identity Register. The Identity Data may contain in amultiplicity of formats various information such as the unique WirelessDevice ID of an entity or individual or data subject associated with theIdentity Data. Non-limiting examples of Identity Data may include bothlocation-based data as well as other data. Location-based data mayinclude the individual's Wireless Device ID (e.g. MDN), home address,work address, other addresses frequented by the individual, hometelephone number, work telephone number, other telephone numbers used,or any other location related data. Data that may be included that isnot location-based may include the individual's gender, birth date,mother's maiden name or other identity data associated with theindividual.

Identity Data may be sent to the Identity Register either directly orindirectly when an entity or individual is registering with the IdentityRegister or during an Identity Authentication Event. The Identity Datamay be included as a portion of the Event Data sent to the IdentityRegister or may be sent separately to the Identity Register via anidentity registration application external to the Identity Register orotherwise provided by, supported by or enabled by the Identity Register.Identity Data passed to the Identity Register may be subsequently usedto generate Personal Identity Values for entities, individuals or datasubjects associated with the Identity Data.

Once Event Data, and optionally Identity Data, are received by theexemplary Event Processing Module within the Identity Registerpertaining to an entity, individual or data subject and associated withan Identity Authentication Event, the Event Data is passed to theWireless Device ID Database for storage. Identity Data is passed to theIdentity Database for storage. Based on the type of event, a PersonalIdentity Value may be generated within the Identity Register. When aPersonal Identity Value is required to be generated, the EventProcessing Module passes the unique Wireless Device ID associated withthe Event Data to the exemplary Wireless Device Location Module.

The unique Wireless Device ID is typically the dialable Mobile DirectoryNumber (MDN) of the user's wireless device, but may assume other valuesas appropriate, such as an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) of the device,an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or an InternationalMobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). Use of the MDN is typical due toglobal uniqueness among wireless device users and its common use inwireless industry network communications protocols. The MDN of thewireless device may be used to query the Wireless Network via theWireless Device Location Module for current or last known locationinformation of the wireless device, or location information pertainingto the wireless device may be obtained autonomously by the WirelessDevice Location Module from the Wireless Network. Location informationmay be requested by these modules or the location information may beobtained autonomously.

Once the wireless device location is obtained by the Identity Register,this location information is passed along with the associated andcorresponding Wireless Device ID to the Wireless Device ID Databasewithin the Identity Register to resolve the location information into anappropriate format for adequate use by the Identity Risk LogicResources. The exemplary Wireless Device ID Database is employed, toresolve the obtained location information into appropriate geographicmapping information to be used for a particular identity risk logiccalculation. The resulting geographic location value derived from thedatabase and associated with the unique Wireless Device ID previouslyobtained are sent to the Identity Risk Logic Resources.

Similarly, once the event location is obtained by the Identity Register,this location information is passed along with the associated andcorresponding Wireless Device ID to the Wireless Device ID Databasewithin the Identity Register to resolve the location information into anappropriate format for adequate use by the Identity Risk LogicResources. The exemplary Wireless Device ID Database is employed, toresolve the obtained location information into appropriate geographicmapping information to be used for a particular identity risk logiccalculation. The resulting geographic location value derived from thedatabase and associated with the unique Wireless Device ID previouslyobtained are sent to the Identity Risk Logic Resources.

Once Event Data is obtained for an Identity Authentication Eventemanating from an identity authentication application, the Event Datamay invoke the Identity Register to generate a Personal Identity Value.A Personal Identity Value pertaining to an entity, individual or datasubject and associated with an Identity Authentication Event isgenerated by one or more Identity Risk Logic Resources using dataobtained from the Event Data, optional Identity Data, data obtained fromthe exemplary Wireless Device ID Database, data obtained from theexemplary Identity Database, and data from the exemplary Identity RiskConfiguration. The Identity Risk Logic Resources use a variety of datafrom these sources in a multiplicity of formats and applies theinformation provided by the Identity Risk Configuration in order toproceed with the appropriate identity risk logic calculation to producethe particular Personal Identity Value.

The Identity Risk Logic Resources use location data obtained about theauthentication event for an authentication application engaged in by theentity or individual, the entity's or individual's wireless devicelocation data, location data associated with the Wireless Device IDstored in the exemplary Identity Database, one or more previouslycalculated Personal Identity Values stored in the exemplary WirelessDevice ID Database and weighting factors designating the importance ofeach of the information elements that may be defined in the IdentityRisk Configuration data to generate a current Personal Identity Valuefor the entity, individual or data subject. The Identity Risk LogicResources may generate a multiplicity of distance and time variablesfrom the data for the Personal Identity Value calculation such as thedistance between the entity's or individual's wireless device locationand the individual's home location, the distance between theindividual's wireless device location and the individual's worklocation, the distance between the individual's home location and theindividual's work location, the distance between the individual'swireless device location and the Identity Authentication Event location,the distance between the entity's or individual's home location and theIdentity Authentication Event location, the distance between theindividual's work location and the Identity Authentication Eventlocation, the distance between other frequented locations stored in theIdentity Database and the Identity Authentication Event location, thedistance between other frequented locations stored in the IdentityDatabase and the individual's wireless device location, etc. Similarly,the time variance between the last known wireless device location andthe Identity Authentication Event location as well as other timevariances among the data parameters may be used in the identity risklogic calculation.

Once a Personal Identity Value representing the likelihood that identitytheft has occurred, or is occurring, for the particular IdentityAuthentication Event, it may be passed in an appropriate format to aResults Processing System. The Results Processing system may be externalto the Identity Register or internal to the Identity Register. TheResults Processing System may reside within, or be the same as, theaforementioned authentication application or some other system thatrequires the Personal Identity Value results. An exemplary ResultsProcessing System may apply the Personal Identity Value to any type ofapplication regardless of the value of the result or the type ofapplication. These applications may include identity authenticationsystems, activity fraud management systems, financial fraud detectionsystems, online website applications or any secure system where identityauthentication is required.

Note that an embodiment of the present invention is not limited towireless devices used as mobile telephones and identified by an MDN. Thepresent invention may apply for use with any wireless devicedistinguished by a unique identifier.

In FIG. 1, one embodiment of an Identity Register 100 of the presentinvention includes an Event Processing Module 120, a Wireless DeviceLocation Module 110, a Wireless Device ID Database 140, an optionalIdentity Database 180, Identity Risk Logic Resources 130, and anIdentity Risk Configuration 150, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention. The Event Processing Module 120 obtains EventData 310 emanating from some Identity Authentication Event 330associated with some identity authentication application. The EventProcessing Module 120 also obtains Identity Data 320 associated with anentity, individual or data subject as part of a registration process orassociated with Event Data 310. The Event Processing Module 120 passesthe Event Data 310 to the Wireless Device ID Database 140 for storageand use for the generation of a Personal Identity Value based upon theprovided Wireless Device ID included with the Event Data 310. The EventProcessing Module 120 passes the Identity Data 320 to the optionalIdentity Database 180 for storage and use for the generation of aPersonal Identity Value based upon the provided Wireless Device IDincluded with the Identity Data 320. The Event Processing Module 120passes the entity's or individual's unique Wireless Device ID associatedwith both the Event Data 310 and the Identity Data 320 to the WirelessDevice Location Module 110 that is used to obtain the location of aWireless Device 210, such as a mobile telephone, from a Wireless Network200. The Wireless Device Location Module 110 may also obtain wirelessdevice location information from any type of Wireless Computing Deviceor appliance 220 for which an identity authentication application mayapply. The Wireless Device Location Module 110 passes the obtainedwireless device location associated with the Wireless Device ID to theWireless Device ID Database 140 directly or indirectly via the EventProcessing Module 120. The Event Processing Module 120, the WirelessDevice ID Database 140 and the optional Identity Database 180 providethe appropriate data and parameters associated with the Wireless DeviceID to the Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 to generate a PersonalIdentity Value. The data may be provided directly to one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources 130 by the respective databases, 140 and180, or via the Event Processing Module 110. One or more Identity RiskLogic Resources 130 may use configuration data supplied by the IdentityRisk Configuration 150 to properly calculate and generate a PersonalIdentity Value. Once the Personal Identity Value is calculated, it issent to a Results Processing System 300 directly or indirectly via theEvent Processing Module 120. The Results Processing System 300 may thenapply Personal Identity Value to some identity authenticationapplication associated with an Identity Authentication Event 330 engagedin by an entity, individual or data subject associated with a WirelessDevice 210 or other Wireless Computing Device 220.

FIG. 2 depicts the use of one embodiment of an Identity Register 100 byan exemplary Online Registration application 350. One embodiment of anOnline Registration application 350 may be an Internet-based webapplication accessed via a computer that enables an individual to enterIdentity Data 320 into a web-based form and send Identity Data 320 andregistration Event Data 310 to the Identity Register 100 via theInternet 340. The Event Processing Module 120 obtains the entity's orindividual's registration Event Data 310 as well as the Identity Data320 emanating from the Online Registration application 350 supplied byan entity or individual and based upon the Wireless Device ID providedwith the Identity Data 320. The Event Processing Module 120 passes theregistration Event Data 310 to the Wireless Device ID Database 140 forstorage and use for the generation of a Personal Identity Value. TheEvent Processing Module 120 passes the Identity Data 320 to the optionalIdentity Database 180 for storage and use for the generation of aPersonal Identity Value.

FIG. 3 depicts exemplary entries in an exemplary Wireless Device IDDatabase 140 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, as depicted in FIG.3, a first entry 148 includes an association among a Wireless Device ID141 (e.g. in this case an MDN), the Wireless Location 142, the WirelessGeographic Place 143 associated with the Wireless Location 142, theWireless Location Date and Time 144 associated with the WirelessLocation 142, the Application ID 145 representing the relevant identityauthentication application, the Personal Identity Value 146 andHistorical Personal Identity Values 147. The Wireless Device ID is usedby the Wireless Device Location Module 110 in FIGS. 1 and 2 to eitherrequest the Wireless Location 142 from the Wireless Network 200 in FIG.1 or autonomously receive the Wireless Location 142 from the WirelessNetwork 200. The obtained Wireless Location 142 is then associated witha Wireless Geographic Place 143 as well as the Wireless Location Dateand Time 144 in the database. The entries for Wireless Geographic Place143 in the database may be pre-populated and resolved for the obtainedWireless Location 142 or otherwise derived based upon known mappinginformation within the database. Examples of the Wireless Location 142value obtained via the Wireless Device Location Module 110 in FIGS. 1and 2 may be Mobile Switching Center (MSC) ID, Cell Site ID, latitude orlongitude coordinates or any other projection coordinates that may beassociated with a Wireless Geographic Place 143. Examples of theWireless Geographic Place 143 entries in the database are a GeographicName, some Geographic Identifier (ID) value that facilitates one or moresubsequent Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2 orCoordinates that may take on the form of latitude and longitude or anyother projection coordinates that may facilitate one or more subsequentIdentity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Examples of theWireless Location Date and Time 144 entries in the database are alsoprovided. The Wireless Location Date and Time 144 entries may, forexample, represent a previously known date and time of a particularobtained wireless device location to assist in determining, for example,a Personal Identity Value 146.

The Application ID 145 contains entries in the database that associate aparticular Application (e.g. Application 1, Application 2, etc.)received along with Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Event typeassociated with the Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Locationassociated with the Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the Date andTime associated with the Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The PersonalIdentity Value 146 for the associated Wireless Device ID 141 has beengenerated due to some previous Identity Authentication Event 330 inFIGS. 1 and 2 and based upon some previously received Event Data 310 inFIGS. 1 and 2 or Identity Data 320 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Both the PersonalIdentity Value 146 and Historical Personal Identity Values 147 may beused in one or more Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2to generate subsequent Personal Identity Values that may be stored inthe exemplary Wireless Device ID Database 140.

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary entries in an exemplary Identity Database 180shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, as depicted in FIG. 4, a firstentry 188 includes an association among a Wireless Device ID 181 (e.g.in this case an MDN), the individual's Home Address 182, theindividual's Work Address 183, one of the individual's phone numbers,Phone 1 184, a second of the individual's phone numbers, Phone 2 185,other or additional Related Locations 186 and Related Wireless Device IDEntries 187. The Wireless Device ID is used by the exemplary WirelessDevice ID Database 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3, and the WirelessDevice Location Module 110 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Wireless Device ID maybe used as the primary parameter used to associate data from theWireless Device ID Database 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3, the presentIdentity Database 180 in FIGS. 1 and 2, Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2and Identity Data 320 in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide aggregate data andappropriate parameters to be used in one or more Identity Risk LogicResources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The entries for the individual's HomeAddress 182, the individual's Work Address 183, one of the individual'sphone numbers, Phone 1 184, a second of the individual's phone numbers,Phone 2 185, other or additional Related Locations 186 and RelatedWireless Device ID Entries 187 may be provided directly by an individualvia an Online Registration application 350 in FIG. 2 or indirectly asprovided along with Event Data 310 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Home Address182 represents the home address of the individual and may containdetailed address data including House Number, Apartment Number, StreetName, City, State, County, District, Postal Code, Country or otherrelevant address data. The Work Address 183 represents the place of workof the individual and may contain detailed address data includingBuilding Number, Suite Number, Street Name, City, State, Postal Code,Country or other relevant address data, Phone 1 184 and Phone 2 185represent additional telephone numbers that the individual may use thatmay be associated with the individual's identity. These telephonenumbers are geographically based and are of the format CC for CountryCode plus NDC for National Destination Code plus SN for SubscriberNumber. These telephone numbers may be other Mobile Directory Numbers(MDNs) or wireline telephone numbers used for home or work. OtherRelated Locations 186 represent other locations associated with anindividual that may take on address values similar to Home Address 182and Work Address 183 as well as telephone numbers similar to Phone 1 184and Phone 2 185. These other locations may represent, for example,favorite locations frequented by the individual such as relatives' orfriends' homes or other places commonly visited. Related Wireless DeviceID Entries 187 may be provided that may be used to associate a record inthe present exemplary Identity Database 180 with another record in thepresent exemplary Identity Database 180 identified by a Wireless DeviceID 181 or to associate multiple records identified by a Wireless DeviceID 141 in the exemplary Wireless Device ID Database 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2and FIG. 3. This association may be required when, for example, multipleWireless Device IDs or MDNs are associated among family members that mayreside within the same household or otherwise share applications oraccounts associated by the same Application ID 145 within an exemplaryWireless Device ID Database 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3. The datastored in the exemplary Identity Database 180 may be used along with thedata stored in the exemplary Wireless Device ID Database 140 in FIGS. 1and 2 and FIG. 3 as parameters used by one or more Identity Risk LogicResources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary entries in an exemplary Identity RiskConfiguration file 150 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, This exemplary IdentityRisk Configuration file is used to provide information and data to oneor more Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2 that indicatethe particular data parameters and factors for the data parameters usedby the Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inparticular, as depicted in FIG. 5, a first entry 154 includes anApplication ID 151, Identity Data 152 and the particular Identity RiskLogic Resource 153 associated with the particular Application ID 151 andIdentity Data 152. The Application ID 151 represents the sameApplication ID within the Wireless Device ID Database 145 in FIG. 3 andis comprised of particular Events (e.g. Event 1, Event n, etc.) andWeighting Factors for those Events associated with a particularApplication (e.g. Application 1, Application 2, etc). These Events (e.g.Event 1, Event n, etc.) are events associated with Event Data 310 inFIGS. 1 and 2 associated with an Identity Authentication Event 330 inFIGS. 1 and 2, associated with some identity authentication application.The Weighting Factors are used to provide a relative value of theimportance of the particular Event (e.g. Event 1, Event n, etc.) for theparticular Application (e.g. Application 1, Application 2, etc.) used byone or more Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thevalues of these Weighting Factors may be changed automatically basedupon the distance and time variances among any of the location and timeparameters used enabling the Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS.1 and 2 to provide accurate Personal Identity Values indicating alikelihood of identity theft for the particular application representedby the Application ID 151 and Application ID 145 in FIG. 3. The IdentityData 152 is comprised of particular Locations (e.g. Home, Work, Phone 1,Phone 2, Location 1, Location n, etc.) and Weighting Factors for thoseLocations associated with a particular Application (e.g. Application 1,Application 2, etc.) and the provided Identity Data within the exemplaryIdentity Database 180. The Weighting Factors are used to provide arelative value of the importance of the particular Location for theparticular Application (e.g. Application 1, Application 2, etc.) used byone or more Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thevalues of these Weighting Factors may be changed automatically basedupon the distance and time variances among any of the location and timeparameters used enabling the Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 in FIGS.1 and 2 to provide accurate Personal Identity Values indicating alikelihood of identity theft for the particular application representedby the Application ID 151 and Application ID 145 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary detailed information and system flow diagramrepresenting the operation of an Identity Register, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplary informationand system flow, an entity or individual may initially invoke manuallyor automatically some transaction or application-based activityassociated with an identity authentication application resulting in anIdentity Authentication Event 330 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Step 400: An Identity Authentication Event occurs and a Wireless DeviceID and associated Event Data is sent to the Event Processing Module ofthe Identity Register. The Wireless Device ID and associated Event Datamay be sent autonomously or requested based on some other interactionbetween the Identity Register and the identity authenticationapplication.

Step 402: Identity Risk Logic Parameters are either requested from theIdentity Risk Configuration or sent to the appropriate Identity RiskLogic Resource. This step may occur at any time and is not necessarilydependent on any actions occurring external to the Identity Register.

Step 404; The Event Processing Module passes the Wireless Device ID andassociated Event Data to the Wireless Device ID Database for storage andsubsequent use by the appropriate Identity Risk Logic Resourceassociated with the particular identity authentication application.

Step 406: The Wireless Device Location Module passes the Wireless DeviceID along with the associated Wireless Location and Time either directlyto the Wireless Device ID Database or indirectly via the EventProcessing Module. The Wireless Location may have been initiallyrequested by the Wireless Device Location Module via the EventProcessing Module or autonomously sent to the Wireless Device LocationModule.

Step 408: If the Wireless Location and Time associated with the WirelessDevice ID is passed to the Event Processing Module, it is then passed tothe Wireless Device ID Database.

Step 410: The appropriate data and parameters stored within the WirelessDevice ID Database and required by the Identity Risk Logic Resources arepassed either directly to the Identity Risk Logic Resources orindirectly to the Identity Risk Logic Resources via the Event ProcessingModule.

Step 412: The appropriate data and parameters stored within the IdentityDatabase and required by the Identity Risk Logic Resources are passedeither directly to the Identity Risk Logic Resources or indirectly tothe Identity Risk Logic Resources via the Event Processing Module.

Step 414: If the appropriate data and parameters have been passed to theEvent Processing Module from the Wireless Device ID Database or theIdentity Database, they are subsequently passed to the appropriateIdentity Risk Logic Resource to be used in a calculation to generate aPersonal Identity Value for the particular Event and identityauthentication application.

Step 416: A Personal Identity Value is generated and passed eitherdirectly to the Wireless Device ID Database or indirectly to theWireless Device ID Database via the Event Processing Module.

Step 418: If the Personal Identity Value is passed to the EventProcessing Module, it is then passed to the Wireless Device ID Databasefor storage and to be used by one or more identity authenticationapplications.

Step 420: The Personal Identity Value is passed to a Results ProcessingSystem that may be associated with an identity authenticationapplication to effect some utility in the concerned automatedapplication, activity or transaction engaged in by the entity orindividual identified by the Wireless Device ID.

Step 422: An Identity Authentication Event occurs and a Wireless DeviceID and associated Identity Data is sent to the Event Processing Moduleof the Identity Register. The Wireless Device ID and associated IdentityData may be sent autonomously or requested based on some otherinteraction between the Identity Register and the identityauthentication application. This step may be specific to an onlineregistration event by an entity or individual registering with theIdentity Register and may occur at any time separate and distinct fromSteps 400 through 420.

Step 424: Identity Parameters associated with the Wireless Device ID andassociated with an online registration event by an individualregistering with the Identity Register are sent to the Identity Databasefor storage and subsequent use in generating a Personal Identity Value.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary detailed process flow diagram representing theoperation of an Identity Register, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. In this exemplary process flow, an entity orindividual may initially invoke some transaction or application-basedactivity resulting in an Identity Authentication Event 330 in FIGS. 1and 2. In this exemplary process flow, the Identity Authentication EventData 310 are provided to the Event Processing Module 120. The Event Dataconsists of a value of “+1-702-555-0000” as an exemplary Wireless DeviceID and, more specifically, the MDN of an entity or individual whoseidentity requires authentication. The Event Data also consists of anEvent Type, which may be an authentication event, an Application IDpertaining to the particular application requiring identityauthentication for the entity or individual and the Location and Dateand Time of the authentication event. Identity Data 320 are provided tothe Event Processing Module 120. The Identity Data consists of a valueof “+1-702-555-0000” as an exemplary Wireless Device ID and, morespecifically, the MDN of an entity or individual whose identity requiresauthentication. The Identity Data also consists of the Home Address,Work Address, Phone 1 and Phone 2 and potentially other related locationdata.

The Event Processing Module 120 passes the Identity Authentication EventData 310 to the Wireless Device ID Database 140. The Wireless Device IDDatabase 140 records and stores the Identity Event Authentication Data310.

The Event Processing Module 120 passes the Identity Data 320 to theIdentity Database 180. The Identity Database 180 records and stores theIdentity Data 320.

In this exemplary process flow, the Wireless Device ID and WirelessLocation are provided to the Wireless Device Location Module 110 by theWireless Network 200. An exemplary value for the Wireless Device ID maybe “+1-702-555-0000” which serves as the MDN of the entity orindividual. An exemplary value for Wireless Location may be “MSC ID”which serves as a physical and geographically-based area that may becurrently serving the Wireless Device represented by the MDN. TheWireless Device ID and associated Wireless Location are passed from theWireless Device Location Module 110 to the Wireless Device ID Database140.

The Wireless Device ID Database 140 and the Identity Database 180 passall relevant data parameters associated with the Wireless Device IDrepresented by the exemplary value “+1-702-555-0000” to one or moreIdentity Risk Logic Resources 130.

Identity Risk Logic Parameters 150 are passed to the Identity Risk LogicResources 130 for use in generating a Personal Identity Value for theentity or individual represented by the exemplary value“+1-702-555-0000” and the appropriate Application ID from the IdentityAuthentication Event Data 310.

One or more Identity Risk Logic Resources 130 are used to calculate andgenerate a Personal Identity Value for the particular authenticationapplication for the entity or individual represented by the uniqueWireless Device ID represented by the exemplary value “+1-702-555-0000.”

The generated Personal Identity Value represented by the exemplary value“903” and the unique Wireless Device ID represented by the exemplaryvalue “+1-702-555-0000” for the entity or individual are sent from theIdentity Risk Logic Resources 130 to a Results Processing System 300.The Results Processing System 300 may then apply the Personal IdentityValue to, for example, an authentication, verification or validationapplication used to authenticate, validate or verify the entity's orindividual's identity who is engaged in some automated secure activityor transaction.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary Online Registration application 350 shown inFIG. 2 enabling individuals to register Identity Data with the IdentityRegister 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The exemplary Online Registrationapplication enables, for example, an individual to enter their primaryWireless Device ID (e.g. an MDN or mobile telephone number) into aweb-based form for an Internet-based application to register foridentity theft protection with the Identity Register 100 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Additional web pages may be used to enable an individual toenter additional Identity Data 180 in FIG. 4 into an Identity Database180 in FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an IdentityRegister is provided. The Identity Register comprises modules thatobtain wireless device location from a Wireless Network as well as EventData associated with an identity authentication application and IdentityData pertaining to an entity or individual One or more Identity RiskLogic Resources are employed to generate Personal Identity Values forentities or individuals engaged in a secure and automated activity ortransaction representing the likelihood that identity theft has occurredor is occurring. The secure activity or transaction may be a commercialpoint-of-sale transaction at a retail establishment, an online bankingtransaction from a personal computer, an e-commerce transaction from apersonal computer, a computer-automated voting application, an automatedalarm system or the invocation of any automated application where alikelihood of identity theft may occur. The Personal Identity Values maybe provided in a multiplicity of formats and sent to a ResultsProcessing System where they may be applied to a particular application.

The present invention provides multiple benefits. The use of an IdentityRegister and generated Personal Identity Values may significantly reduceincidents of financial identity theft and identity deception. Thepresent invention provides identity authentication for any type ofsecure and automated activity or transaction and may reduce theincidence of false positive indications of fraudulent activity usingonly traditional fraud detection mechanisms in use today. Additionally,use of Personal Identity Values as described in the present inventionadds utility to a multiplicity of computer applications, networks anddevices requiring secure user access or authentication.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to makevarious modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enabling authentication of one ormore activities attempted between an entity and an electronic device,the method comprising the steps of: obtaining, from a data network,device data uniquely identifying a wireless device associated with theentity; obtaining, from a data network, location data identifying thelocation of the entity; accessing a data record characterizing at leastone authenticated activity of the entity; and generating a valueuniquely associated with the entity, the value configured tocharacterize to the electronic device the authenticity of the entity,wherein the value is based on the device data, location data and datarecord.
 2. A apparatus for enabling authentication of one or moreactivities attempted between an entity and an electronic device,comprising: at least one application to obtain, from a data network,device data uniquely identifying a wireless device associated with theentity, obtain, from a data network, home location data identifying thehome location of the entity, access a data record characterizing atleast one authenticated activity of the entity, and generate a valueuniquely associated with the entity, the value configured tocharacterize to the electronic device the authenticity of the entity,wherein the value is based on the device data, home location data anddata record; and a database to store the data record.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the at least one application is a softwarebased application communicating with an identity register.
 4. Anapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one application isa web-based Internet application.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the at least one application enables individuals to add, modifyor delete data.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the atleast one application enables individuals to associate identityauthentication applications with the value.
 7. An apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one application enables individuals toassociate identity authentication applications with the data record. 8.An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one applicationenables individuals to associate the value with the data record.